Brian majored in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Technological University. He then pursued Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. After convincing his Dean that he needed to explore rural medicine, he went to Alaska, Arizona and northern Michigan for clerkships that broadened his medical school training. Those experiences convinced him to look for a rural Family Medicine program in the mountainous west. He landed in Casper, WY with the University of Wyoming Family Medicine program in 1994, completing the residency in 1997.
Though primary care is now his focus, he spent 20 years doing ER and acute care work in Wyoming after residency.
In 1999-2000, he was trip physician on a medical trip to Honduras, and a mapping expedition in Peru. In 2002, he volunteered for 3 months for the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) in Manang on the Annapurna Circuit. That year he met Dr. LuAnne Freer, who invited him to work with her at Everest Base Camp ER in 2003. A repeat trip in 2014 brought him back to the Everest ER.
Brian earned the Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) designation and the Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM) certificate in 2015. Both trainings were through the Wilderness Medical Society.
Brian’s current clinical and teaching responsibilities include: 1) Medical Advisor NOLS, 2 )Medical Director and volunteer provider at Lander Free Medical Clinic, 3) Medical Director and clinical provider at Fremont County Detention Center, 4) Instructor for Wilderness Medicine on Adventure CME trips.
Brian went through the ITC for NOLS WM in 2012 and completed a PIC in 2013 for NOLS Field. Brian continued to teach for the school until 2020 when his role of County Health Physician took precedence during the pandemic.
Brian enjoys anything that gets him out of doors in all 4 seasons, including volunteering for his SAR (Search and Rescue) Team during their trainings and missions.
Brian’s wife, Era, is a long-time NOLS field instructor who has accumulated over 100 field weeks. She also took the NOLS WM ITC in 2013 and continues to teach for both NOLS WM and Field while working for the Wyoming Outdoor Council as its Government Affairs Manager.